By CJ Vetter
KYLE – Love live music but hate long drives and crowded venues? If so, the city of Kyle has the perfect way to kick off your week.
Tanhi Handal is the second performer in the city of Kyle’s summer Music in the Park Mondays.
As part of a three-week series, Kyle is hosting Music in the Park Mondays at the Mary Kyle Hartson City Square Park. The event began on July 11 with Fallon Franklin and was followed by Tahni Handal on July 18 – a final performance by Movin’ Melvin will be July 25.
“It coincided with the [Parks and Recreation Month] and we usually just hold a series of different actives in celebration of [that],” said Aimee Garcia, Kyle Recreation Manager.
Handal’s performance offered covers and original songs including her latest, Monkey and Me. She is a longtime artist whose history stretches back to the 80s, when she was an original member of the Los Angeles all-female rock band Tantrum and is now a resident of Kyle.
“We just moved here from Iowa, so we’re just getting familiar with Kyle. We used to go out all the time to different parks to listen to music, so it was really nice to know that there was something here,” said Diane Ballard, Kyle resident. “The music was pretty diverse, but it was enjoyable to listen to. I wish more people would have been here to enjoy her, but those of us that were here did.”
Next week’s performer, Movin’ Melvin, will offer tap dancing and singing, while Handal will continue her tour by performing on July 23 at 10 p.m. at the Gray Horse Saloon in San Marcos.
“I’ve always done this. I’ve never not done this,” Handal said. “I loved the pace, just the freedom to be able to tune into the vibes and play the songs that I felt was right for the moment. It was relaxed. I just feel at home in Kyle.”
